hull cracks mean ita a leaky boat, fix w Gflex or JB?

[fshndad]

Have a 76 chieftain and it's leaking like crazy. Maybe a gallon every 10 mins. I had to use the bilge evr so often. I found about 10 rivets that looks like this. What is the best way to repair it.

 

[jbcurt00]

Used to be a Chieftain, now a center console?

Those are rib end cracks in the hull radiating from the rivet holes not a simple fix, but not overly difficult, takes some time and some effort. The problem is that its often a sign of other or previous problems.

Did you modify the boat or buy it that way?

 

[laurentide]

Good news: you can fix it and the repair will be relatively cheap. Bad news (unless you love boat rebuilding) is that your deck has to come out. Most people replace the transom and deck from that point. This thread explains it thoroughly and shows you how to fix it...post #8 and on: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-...epair?t=517895

 

[jbcurt00]

Watermanns Chieftain and ClassicCats SS are also good road maps for the repair.

Those are stress cracks

Gflex is intended to seal a weaping leaky rivet, IIRC

Not a new topic, just a new question about the cracks you asked about in the other topic.

I'll merge them, and leave them here in the resto forum

 

[fshndad]

I bought it like that. The previous owner rebuilt it as a center console. I'm debating on tearing it down. I think I may just try to sell it not sure what it's worth. Probably going to go with fiberglass boat since I do a lot of saltwater.

Used to be a Chieftain, now a center console?

Those are rib end cracks in the hull radiating from the rivet holes not a simple fix, but not overly difficult, takes some time and some effort. The problem is that its often a sign of other or previous problems.

Did you modify the boat or buy it that way?

 

[fshndad]

west system gflex or jb weld to repair rivet crack

What do you guys recommend to repair these crack? Has anyone used gflex or jbweld and how had it held up?

 

[Woodonglass]

I'm NOT a tinner, but...from what I've read and learned here on the forum, Gluvit, Coat-It, Metal2Metal, JB Weld and G-Flex have ALL been used successfully by various members here on the forum. It's also my understanding that these products are usually meant to be used on the inside of the boat but can also be used on the outside too. It should be noted that as with any repair, a clean, well prepped substrate is KEY to an effective long lasting repair.

 

[Tnstratofam]

As was stated in your other thread this is not a simple fix. If you do not investigate why the rivets are cracking and repair that issue sealing up the leaking rivets will not work for very long. There is a good chance something structural is going on below deck which is why you have enough flex to cause those stress cracks. Sealing them from the outside with gluvit or 5200 is a temporary fix at best. As was pointed out in your other thread several members here have repaired rivets like this, but it requires removing the deck to get down to the ribs to see what is really going on. Waterman did on his Chieftan and clasiccat did on his SS. Check out their threads if you're interested in repairing them correctly.

 

[jbcurt00]

Unless the reason the stress cracks formed is resolved, any repair to or over the cracks is likely to fail, IMO, including riveted patches.

 

[bob johnson]

I bought it like that. The previous owner rebuilt it as a center console. I'm debating on tearing it down. I think I may just try to sell it not sure what it's worth. Probably going to go with fiberglass boat since I do a lot of saltwater.

well that may not be a bad idea, but it might lead you to a bigger problem! many fiberglass boats have water logged foam... and their interior structure is much more problematic to fix, than the aluminum boats.... the stringers could likely be wood enclosed in fiberglass that has now rotted!!!..... why do you think many 15 year old and older fiberglass boats that have been sitting, are offered up for FREE!!!!!!!!!! please just come and take it!! because the fiberglass boats are a dime a dozen...because of the task of repairing transoms and stringers....on the aluminum boats. a boat that has sat for 20 years might have a rotted floor and transom...but the rest of the boats integrity is still fine...sure you have to disassemble the boat and lay in new wood...but it is a task that almost anyone can succeed at.

bob

 

[fshndad]

I had a trailer issue where I broke an axle going down the highway at 70 mph. I think maybe the impact of it hitting the pavement at that highspeeds???

Unless the reason the stress cracks formed is resolved, any repair to or over the cracks is likely to fail, IMO, including riveted patches.

 

[jbcurt00]

Perhaps ^^^

But the rest of the SCs that have those cracks didn't have a 70mph impact and if the impact caused those cracks, it likely did other damage.

Theres no evidence of a dent or damage adjacent to the cracks as seen in the pix

Based solely on the crack pix you posted, the numerous pix shown in multiple topics from multiple members, those cracks arent likely to be the only problem, no matter the original cause.

If forced to make a guess, I'd bet the cracks existed when the previous owner re-did the boat and were hiding behind factory paint or were covered during the rebuild by new paint. The accident may have finally allowed the hull to move enough for the crack to get marginally larger and/or telegraph thru the paint though.

 

[64osby]

It is a design issue probably combined with hard use. The factory started adding supports, H2O and CC did some great work to mimic the structural repair.

 

[Watermann]

Those are rib end stress cracks due to the boat being used with compromised decking and side panels. You can't use goop to quick fix this issue. So are you not attached to your Starcraft and want to sell it now in favor of a glass boat or do you want to repair it?

 

[fshndad]

Waterman,

I'm 50/50 on restoring it. My wife is on me about spending too much time on the boat. I wouldn't mind rebuilding it. Just have 2 more weeks of Striper season and going to just going to Gflex it for now. I've owned the boat since 08 and caught my biggest striper on it. I had a 50hp yamaha 2 stroke and it was nice and light.

I fish in Saltwater and didn't know what the life of the boat would be in saltwater. I'm starting to see some pitting in the bottom of the hull. I'm not sure what is causing it.